Veteran Broadcaster Alistair Cooke Dies at 95
LONDON (Reuters) - Legendary broadcaster Alistair Cooke, best known for his long-running radio series "Letter from America," has died at the age of 95.
A spokesman for the BBC said Tuesday that Cooke, who was credited with improving transatlantic understanding for more than half a century, died at his home in New York.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair paid warm tribute to Cooke. "He was really one of the greatest broadcasters of all time," he said.
"I was a big fan. I thought they were extraordinary essays. They brought an enormous amount of insight and understanding to world. We shall feel his loss very, very keenly indeed."
Cooke retired from the BBC in March after 58 years of Letter from America.
He said he had decided to quit the show -- the world's longest-running speech radio program -- due to ill-health and on advice from his doctors.
In a statement when he left, Cooke said he had thoroughly enjoyed his 58 years on the airwaves and hoped some of the enjoyment had passed over to the listeners "to all of whom I now say thank you for your loyalty and goodbye."
"ALISTAIR COOKIE"
Cooke -- a Briton who became an American citizen in 1941 -- first went to the United States in 1932 to study drama at Yale University on a Commonwealth Fund fellowship.
He was best known to many Americans for his show "Omnibus," which changed the face of U.S. television in the 1950s and for presenting "Masterpiece Theater" on public television.
He was even gently spoofed on the famous children's show "Sesame Street" as "Alistair Cookie."
Cooke joined the BBC in 1934 as a film critic and began reporting three years later.
Letter from America began in 1946, when Cooke was asked to give a weekly snapshot of life in America. During the following six decades, he provided listeners with insightful reports of the country's cultural and political affairs.
As a result of the program's huge success, he became known in America as the man who explained all things British, and in Britain as the man who explained all things American.
Born in Salford, northern England, in 1908, Cooke spent his last years living with his second wife in New York.
In presenting 2,869 shows, he had missed only three broadcasts. He wrote his letter every week on a typewriter in his flat overlooking New York City's Central Park.
Acting director general of the BBC, Mark Byford, described Cooke as "the outstanding commentator of the 20th century."
"Alistair Cooke was one of the greatest broadcasters ever in the history of the BBC," he said in a statement.
"(His) insight, wisdom and unique ability to craft words enabled millions of listeners in the UK and around the world to understand the texture of the United States and its people."
Leno Is NBC's $100 Million Man
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Jay Leno has signed a new deal with NBC that will keep him at the helm of "The Tonight Show" through at least 2009.
The new contract is said to be worth more than $100 million to Leno over the life of the deal. The host's most recent contract, a five-year pact signed in January 2001, had been set to expire at the end of next year.
Sources said the deal calls for Leno to pull in about $25 million-$27 million per year, a significant bump from his previous salary, estimated to be about $18 million per year. Leno, 53, has frequently said he does not touch his "Tonight Show" money, opting instead to live on earnings from his standup gigs. It was unclear late Monday whether Leno's new contract takes effect immediately.
Leno took over the "Tonight Show" reins from Johnny Carson in 1992. "Tonight Show" generates about $100 million in annual profits for NBC, according to a report in the February edition of Fortune magazine.
"Tonight Show" averages about 6 million viewers each week, compared to about 4 million for CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman." Letterman, however, is believed to still pull in a slightly fatter paycheck with an annual salary estimated at $31.5 million.
The Couch Potato Report
April 3rd, 2004
In the Couch Potato Report This Week there is Jack & Diane, Brother Bear, a house of sand and fog and a panic room you'll want to spend time in.
When I see a movie after everyone else has seen it and loved it, after every critic has given it a positive review, and after it has been hyped to death, I usually am left wanting more.
I am usually wondering what the big deal is. MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS was one such film and so was ABOUT SCHMIDT.
It is by pure coincidence that Jack Nicholson starred in that letter release and he now stars in another film I just don't see what all the hype was about.
Nicholson stars in the adult romantic comedy SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE along with the one and only Diane Keaton.
Nicholson plays a man who only dates women under 30 and is shocked to find he can fall in love with someone his own age. Keaton is the mother of Jack's girlfriend.
As long as Nicholson and Keaton are on screen discussing their would-only-happen-in-a-movie forced living conditions or discovering their mutual desires, I did get and completely enjoyed SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE. But when it strayed from Nicholson and Keaton together I just didn't see what all the hype was about.
To it's credit the film is charming and entertaining, but its too long and it keeps finding reasons to bring the Jack & Diane together, and then split them up.
They're terrific together but they spend way too much of the movie apart.
What happens in the film when the two leads are apart is not nearly as good as when they're together.
SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE is undeniably funny, and Diane Keaton is superb in it, but it's far from perfect.
I do recommend it because I like the fact that it's an adult romantic comedy, made by adults for adults. SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE is also worth seeing for the times when Jack & Diane are acting together, and because the supporting cast that includes Frances McDormand, Keanu Reeves, Amanda Peet and Jon Favreau are all terrific.
Just heed Public Enemy's warning and "Don't believe the hype."
When the Disney animated movie BROTHER BEAR was released in theatres last November it would have loved to have some of the hype given to SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE.
Instead, this coming of age movie about a boy who becomes a man by becoming a bear, quietly became an Academy Award nominee as one of the Best Animated Films of 2003. It wasn't nearly as good as the other two nominees, FINDING NEMO and THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE, but it is good enough to deserve the nomination.
After he kills a bear, a young hunter in prehistoric North America is turned into a bear himself and hunted by his own brother.
But no matter what the story is, how good the animation is, or anything else about BROTHER BEAR that is worth mentioning, the main reason to see this movie is because of a comedic moose duo.
Rick Moranis and Doug Thomas voice the moose in their McKenzie brothers personas from SCTV and STRANGE BREW, my favourite movie of all time.
They are why I enjoyed BROTHER BEAR, but the traditional hand-drawn animation is also very good. Your kids might not love it as much as FINDING NEMO, but just tell them to "Take Off, eh!"
The final new release in this week's Couch Potato Report is the superb HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG.
Jennifer Connelly followed up her Academy Award winning performance in A BEAUTIFUL MIND with this dark, slow moving story about how small mistakes can have disastrous consequences.
After losing her house for failing to pay a tax she never should have been charged in the first place Connelly is a woman who vows to get her house back by any means necessary.
Connelly's sad performance combines perfectly with Oscar winner Ben Kingsley's tense work making HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG a compelling psychological drama that you shouldn't miss.
You also shouldn't miss the new 3-disc Special Edition of David Fincher's film PANIC ROOM, especially if you are a fan of the film.
In this film from a few years back, Jodie Foster plays a New York divorcée who is forced to lock herself and her daughter in an impenetrable "panic room" when thieves enter her home.
Unfortunately this trio of tenacious burglars want what's in the panic room's safe.
From making of documentaries, to fly-on-the-wall footage and commentaries this new three-disc special edition of PANIC ROOM is a virtual film school that raises the bar on explaining everything that goes into the making of a movie.
When it first came out I only liked the film because Jodie Foster is my all-time favourite actress. After watching this new Special Edition of PANIC ROOM I like it because the film itself is great and the special features are incredible.
SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE, BROTHER BEAR, HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG and the SPECIAL EDITION of PANIC ROOM are available right now at your favourite local video store.
COMING NEXT WEEK IN THE COUCH POTATO REPORT
THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS is the not entirely satisfying third and final chapter in THE MATRIX trilogy.
In the remake of CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt are parents trying to raise 12 kids and manage their careers.
And
IN LIVING COLOUR: SEASON ONE is a 3 disc set that has the complete first season of the TV series that starred Jim Carrey and Damon Wayans.
I'll have more on those releases in seven days.
For now, that's this week's COUCH POTATO REPORT.
Enjoy the movies and I'll see you back here next week on The Couch!
'Family Guy' Rises from the Dead
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Fueled by DVD sales and strong ratings for its reruns, the animated series "Family Guy" is going back into production -- more than two years after the last original episode aired.
FOX, which had the series originally, has an option to air the episodes first; the Cartoon Network, the show's current home, will also air them. The new episodes -- at least 22 will be produced -- will be ready by spring 2005.
"I'm just incredibly excited that we're back in business on 'Family Guy,'" creator Seth MacFarlane says in a statement. "Now all those crazy kids who've been hounding me to bring the show back can stop bothering me and move onto more serious matters -- like saving 'Coupling.'"
The resurrection of "Family Guy," which was never a hit on FOX and last aired an original episode in February 2002, owes a lot to fan reaction in the show's afterlife.
The DVD compilation of seasons 1 and 2 of the show was the top-selling TV title on DVD last year; that and the more recent third-season DVD set have sold more than 2 million copies combined. It has also become a hit in Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim" late-night lineup, often beating CBS' "Late Show" and NBC's "Tonight Show" among young males.
"This is incredibly exciting for everyone at Fox," says Gary Newman, president of 20th Century Fox TV, which produces the series. "The overwhelming response to 'Family Guy' this past year is a real tribute to Seth's vision and talent. ... We're thrilled for Seth, we're thrilled for his fans, and to be honest we're thrilled for our teenage kids who threatened to emancipate themselves if we didn't figure out a way to bring the show back."
"Family Guy" bounced around the FOX schedule numerous times in its three-year run. In its final season, airing opposite "Friends" and "Survivor" on Thursday nights, it averaged 4.7 million viewers. For the record the current occupant of that spot for FOX, "Tru Calling," brings in 4.4 million viewers.
Cue the Creepy Whistling
David Duchovny says that a sequel to THE X-FILES movie is pretty much a go.
"It's definiely happening," the actor said. "Chris has a great idea for the new movie and I expect we'll be able to begin shooting in the next year or so." Oddly enough, Duchovny also says he hopes that Mulder doesn't develop as a character in the film. "I hope not. I was really fighting against that in the final years of the show and I think the [that's] whole point. I think we're going to be introducing a new character in the film which will allow us to cast a major star, male or female, who will want to be part of an exciting supernatural thriller. I think the new movie will appeal to both our core fans and a broad audience. I'm very excited about it."
Toga! Toga! Toga!
Harold Ramis was on a Chicago radio station talking sports, like he sometimes call's in and does, and mentioned he's....working on a remake of "ANIMAL HOUSE"!
He's writing it. it's his way of introducing it and comedies back to the audience of today. Yes, Flounder will be in it - he jokes, but not the same actor. He does hope the original guys come back to do cameos though.
New CDs Being Released This Week
The following is a list of new CDs being released this week.
Damita Jo - Janet Jackson
Honkin' on Bobo - Aerosmith
Stranded in Suburbia - Melissa McClelland (This disc is awesome!!)
Me and Mr. Johnson - Eric Clapton
Strong - Tracy Lawrence
Little Things - Toby Lightman
Do You Imagine Things? - Alfie
Mad Love - Robi Rosa
New Religion - Capone & Noreaga
Home on the Range (soundtrack) - Various Artists
Music from The O.C. Mix 1 (soundtrack) - Various Artists
Jazz FM Presents (compilation)- Various Artists
Jack Black Takes on 'King Kong'
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Jack Black has been in cast alongside Naomi Watts in Peter Jackson's remake of "King Kong," the director said Monday.
Black will play Carl Denham, an adventurer filmmaker who is trying to make a name for himself in 1930s New York. Robert Armstrong played the role in the 1933 original. (Jackson has said he is pretending the 1976 update does not exist.)
Watts is playing Ann Darrow, an American actress who makes a living performing in Broadway song and dance shows. The project, which will shoot in Jackson's native New Zealand, is set up at Universal Pictures.
"I've been wanting to work with Jack Black ever since I saw him in High Fidelity," said Jackson, who is also writing the remake along with his "Lord of the Rings" co-screenwriters Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. "He's a smart and versatile actor blessed with an abundance of energy and charm and I'm absolutely thrilled that he is joining us on 'Kong."'
Black earned a Golden Globe nomination this year for his starring role in last fall's hit comedy "The School of Rock." His other credits include "Orange County" and "Shallow Hal."
Jackson Tells Letterman Flicker of Breast 'An Accident'
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Returning to the television network which broadcast her infamous Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction, pop star Janet Jackson insisted on Monday the flicker of breast "was an accident."
Jackson appeared on the "Late Show with David Letterman" where she promoted her latest recording, "Damita Jo," due in stores on Tuesday.
In her first network interview since the Feb. 1 Super Bowl dcollet drama, Jackson wore a low-cut red dress equipped with a red buckle that showed off the singer's midriff.
"Welcome to the show. Now, that's almost malfunctioning isn't it?" the talk show host quipped about the dress soon after Jackson walked on stage.
Public outrage about Jackson's flash of nudity during the Super Bowl half-time show sparked a Federal Communications Commission probe, congressional action to stiffen fines for broadcast indecency and an industry-wide crackdown on sexually explicit material on TV and radio.
Peppered with questions about the bearing of her right breast at the end of her duet with Justin Timberlake, Jackson repeatedly told Letterman the incident was not intentional.
"It truly was an accident. It was very embarrassing for me to have so many people see this little breast," Jackson said softly in a voice reminiscent of actress Marilyn Monroe. "It was supposed to kind of happen like that, but I wasn't supposed to come out of it the way I did."
To which Letterman shot back: "What was supposed to happen ... clowns jumping out of a car?"
It's Not Very Good But People Seemed To Like It
The last of this year's five Best Picture Oscar nominees to get a DVD release, Warner Home Video has finally announced a June 8th release date for Mystic River, Clint Eastwood's dark, disturbing drama of child abuse and retribution. Warner will release the film in three different versions: anamorphic widescreen and full screen versions, plus a three-disc widescreen special edition that includes one disc for the movie, one for the extras and the third the film's original soundtrack CD. All three versions include English and French Dolby Digital 5.1 surround tracks and trailers, with the three-disc set also featuring an audio commentary with actors Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon, two behind-the-scenes featurettes and interviews with Eastwood, Robbins and Bacon.
From The "Why?!?!?!?" Category
The Greatest Movie of All Time gets the Greatest DVD of All Time? A day that will go down in infamy, on July 27th MGM Home Entertainment will release the Showgirls: V.I.P. Edition, a deluxe box set unlike any other. Featuring the NC-17 cut of the film presented in a new anamorphic widescreen transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track, extras include an audio commentary by Showgirls expert David Schmader, a video commentary by the Scores Girls for the "Cheetah Club" scene, a subtitle trivia track, an animated storyboard-to-film comparison, the original making-of EPK and theatrical trailers. Other extras in the box set include a deck of Showgirls playing cards, two Showgirls shot glasses, Elizabeth Berkley photo cards and a series of party games: "Sip or Strip," "Showgirls A-Z," "Bad Tipper" and "Champagne Room." Predictably, none of the film's original cast or filmmakers have participated in the extras.
I've Heard Good Things
Just in from Buena Vista Home Entertainment is the announcement of three recent theatrical comedies. Hitting DVD on June 15th is the critically-acclaimed indie The Station Agent, starring Peter Dinklage and Oscar nominee Patricia Clarkson. Presented in anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 5.1, extras include audio commentary by director Tom McCarthy and stars Dinklage, Clarkson and Bobby Cannavale, deleted scenes with optional commentary and trailers.
Due a week earlier on June 8th is the little-seen Julia Stiles comedy Carolina, co-starring Shirley Maclaine. Also presented in anamorphic widescreen and Dolby 5.1, extras include a featurette and trailers.
Last but not least is the Wayans Brothers family comedy My Baby's Daddy, which hits DVD on June 1st. Also getting the anamorphic widescreen treatment, extras include only trailers.